With technology becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s not surprising that students spend countless hours online every day. We bet you rely on the Internet for research, collaboration, and completing your academic tasks. But, just like the dark and unseen depths of the ocean, the Internet holds lurking dangers ready to compromise your data’s safety.
Whether you’re working on a big academic project or looking for dissertation writers for hire to delegate this task, you need to protect your data. So, how can you shield your precious research from cyber threats? Here are our top suggestions for ensuring that your online research data stays safe and secure.
Craft Strong and Unique Passwords
A student’s life today is replete with online resources. You’re browsing academic forums, online libraries, databases, and much more. It’s no secret that these resources require you to log in with your email or username and a password. So, your first line of defense against data breaches is a solid password.
To maintain a secure digital fortress, adhere to these rules while creating your passwords:
- Use a unique password for every account. Repeating passwords across platforms can lead to the loss of control over several accounts at once.
- A robust password should be long (at least 12 characters) and complex, combining letters, numbers, and special symbols.
- Never include any personal information, like your name, birthday, or hometown.
Following these guidelines can help you ward off unwanted access to your data.
Bolster Security With Two-Factor Authentication
After securing your accounts with unique passwords, you might feel like you’ve done enough. Yet, an extra layer of protection never hurts, especially when that layer is Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
Let’s say someone attempts to get their hands on your password. Even if they succeed, they still can’t access your account because of an additional verification requirement. This is often a unique code you receive on your mobile device or email.
So, implement 2FA for all your accounts, including any dissertation service you use. This way, you can boost your online security big time.
Keep Software Up to Date
Students tend to use a myriad of software when working on their projects. For instance, they edit and proofread the final draft with grammar-checking tools after they ask someone to write my dissertation on a complicated topic. Each software update often contains patches for vulnerabilities that cybercriminals might exploit. Hence, all your apps, operating systems, and security software must stay up to date.
Here’s a quick checklist to maintain your software’s security:
- Regularly check for updates on your operating system and installed software.
- Enable automatic updates where available.
- Be careful about installing software from untrusted sources; they may carry malicious code.
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Stay Vigilant Against Phishing Attacks
In the realm of cyber threats, phishing scams hold a prominent position. They come in various shapes and sizes. We’re talking about emails posing as urgent messages from your bank, text messages claiming you’ve won a lottery, or calls asking for sensitive information.
As a student, you may encounter phishing attempts impersonating your university or even the best paper writing services you’ve used before.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself against phishing:
- Be skeptical of unsolicited communications, especially those asking for personal information.
- Don’t click on links in suspicious emails or text messages.
- Verify the legitimacy of a request before sharing any sensitive data.
Use Antivirus Software
While it may seem like a no-brainer, it’s one of the most effective ways to safeguard your research data from online threats. A robust antivirus tool can detect and neutralize viruses, malware, ransomware, and other potential threats.
Keep in mind that the most reputable educational institutions prioritize using premium antivirus software, so shouldn’t you?
Leverage VPN for Secure Browsing
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a must-have tool for anyone concerned about online security. Using a VPN can shield your Internet activity from prying eyes, ensuring your research data stays confidential. Remember to turn on a VPN every time you use public Wi-Fi networks, which are notoriously insecure.
Monitor Your Digital Footprint
It’s essential to be conscious of your digital footprint—the remnants of data you leave on the Internet. This could include everything from your browsing history to the personal information you input on websites.
To limit your digital footprint:
- Only share necessary information online.
- Pay attention to privacy settings on social media and other platforms.
- Regularly review and delete unwanted information from your online accounts.
Conclusion
Navigating the online world safely can seem like a daunting task. However, by adopting the practices detailed above, you can create a secure environment for your research data.
Remember, every step taken towards securing your data strengthens your overall online safety. While the vast digital ocean may be teeming with threats, with the right tools and strategies, you can keep your academic voyage on course.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).